I am the fifth generation of one of Sooke’s first families. Kitty and Aaron White-Woodfruff were my great, great, great grandparents and great grandparents.
I’ve lived all of my 65 years in Sooke, from my early childhood to my seniorhood. I know that sad, vicious events happen behind closed doors, but rarely outside.
As a child playing in the woods making fern plates and having a meal of imagery food, riding our bikes through Saseenos we felt safe. I grew up having doors unlocked, having possessions in the yard all day and night and taking walks on streets day and night.
I have watched the many changes in Sooke, some I liked and many I did not, but I still felt safe.
After the last week, with the murder of a lovely woman, with a beautiful smile, and the rumors of cars of men trying to lure young women into their cars, things have changed.
Sooke is still a beauty, spiritual place to live and love, but I don’t feel safe for the first time in my life. I am sad, very sad.
Pauline Kissinger-Hamilton (nee Laberge).
Sooke